Assessment of Quality Indicators in Cervical Cytopathology Tests from Unified Health System-Accredited Private Laboratories in the State of Goiás

Abstract

Introduction: Although there are quality control standards for cytopathology testing, most Brazilian laboratories show indicators below the expected. Objective: To evaluate five indicators for internal monitoring of the quality of Unified Health System-accredited private laboratories, monitored and non-monitored by an External Quality Monitoring Laboratory in the State of Goiás. Method: Cross-sectional study. A total of 153,258 tests performed in 44 laboratories were included, among which 14 were monitored e 30 non-monitored, from January 2012 to December 2012, using data from Siscolo. Results: The monitored laboratories showed 1,837 altered tests, with 855 atypical squamous cells, 905 intraepithelial lesions and 350 high grade intraepithelial lesions, while the non- monitored laboratories showed 2,535 altered tests, with 1,436 atypical squamous cells, 890 intraepithelial lesions, and 244 high grade intraepithelial lesions. Approximately 60% of the monitored laboratories and 26% of the non- monitored ones showed a positivity rate of ≥ 3%, while 72% of the monitored laboratories and 10% of the non- monitored ones showed a percentage of ≥ 0.4% of the tests compatible with high grade intraepithelial lesion among satisfactory tests. Approximately 7% of the monitored laboratories and 29% of the non-monitored ones showed a percentage of ≥ 60% of atypical squamous with undetermined significance among the altered studies. Conclusion: Most laboratories that presented indicators within the recommended parameters were participating in the monitoring process of external quality.